A Ponyville Ghost Train

The Ghost Returns

Night fell over Ponyville as Spike was getting ready to leave Sweet Apple Acres. He had spent the day helping out at Sweet Apple Acres until Twilight had called on the phone and said for Spike to return home. Applejack was able to convince Twilight to at least let Spike stay for dinner, to which she agreed, knowing that Spike liked to spend time with his friends. Twilight would normally be against something like this, but lately it's been quiet around Ponyville. With the new guard post near the castle, things had slowed down to nothing at all. Now it was late and Spike was even asked to stay the night with them, but he stated that he didn't want Twilight to worry too much. Plus, Flash would lock him out as a joke if he stayed any later.

"You sure you'll be OK, Spike?" Scootaloo asked.

"I'm sure," Spike replied. "Besides, what could really happen in this small town anyhow?"

"Just be careful," Apple Bloom said. Spike nodded and gave his friends a hug before walking out onto the porch. Just as he walked down the last step, he heard his name.

"Spike," a voice said. He turned around and saw Sweetie Belle walking towards him.

"I just wanted to say thanks for helping us today," She said. "Also, please let us know when you make it home. We really do worry about you when you're out this late."

"I will," Spike said, as he gave her another hug. Only this time, Sweetie Belle had a plan. As Spike was hugging her, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"For luck," she said, as she walked back inside. Spike stood there for a minute before heading home.

The quickest way home was by the station. The rails shined brightly in the light of the full moon, illuminating them to look brand new. Spike always loved the trains that went through. He heard stories of the older ones, but he loved the new ones more due to their efficiency at delivering cargo from the Celestial Sea to the New Lunar Ocean.

Just as Spike neared the station, he noticed a train on the siding. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal, but all the trains were back in Canterlot at the sheds for the night and no other train was scheduled to be in Ponyville. What was also weird was that this engine was an older one. All of Equestria's steam engines were a 4-8-4 Solar class engines with a few 4-6-6-4 Lunar engines for heavier trains. This was a 4-4-0 Ponyville engine, one of the earliest engines to ever ride the Equestrian rails.

As Spike walked over to the mysterious train, the air began to get cold. This was extremely weird as it was in the middle of summer and the weather team had set it to where there would be warm air for the next week. He continued walking as he neared the car. The door was open so he was able to get a look inside. Inside were crates of supplies that had the words "Ponyville Railroad" on the side. This was weird as the Ponyville Railroad had been closed down for some time. It's cars were left in the Everfree Forest to rot. No one knew where the cars stopped. Only that they would never be seen again.

Just then, the doors to the car closed. Spike jumped and looked around, only to see nopony in sight. He began to walk backwards, but took a deep breath. He was going to find out what was happening. He crept over to the engine, walking by the tender. On it's side read "Ponyville Railroad" just like the crates of supplies. Spike could barely see the side of the cab, but he could barely make out the numbers "104". He walked up slowly and froze.

What he saw was a stallion that's eyes were black as night, no sense of emotion at all. Blood trickling down his face as he looked forward towards the Everfree. As the train whistle sounded, Spike turned and ran. He heard the train moving down the track but didn't stop until he got to the other side of the station. Spike could only stare, frozen as the engine began moving into the Everfree on the old abandoned rails, whistling into the night. Spike walked backwards, his heart racing as he tried to take everything he saw in. For what he saw was something that maybe only Discord to make up on Nightmare Night. No, not even Discord would make something like that. Not even Luna when she was Nightmare Moon. This was something from the pits of Tartarus that had most likely escaped just like Tirek had.